WHEN SMOKERS QUIT Within 20 minutes of smoking that last cigarette, the body begins a series of changes that continues for years.

20 MINUTES

· Blood pressure drops to normal

· Pulse rate drops to normal

· Body temperature of hands and feet increases to normal

8 HOURS

· Carbon monoxide level in blood drops to normal

· Oxygen level in blood increases to normal

24 HOURS

· Chance of heart attack decreases

48 HOURS

·Nerve endings start regrowing

· Ability to smell and taste is enhanced

2 WEEKS to 3 MONTHS

· Circulation improves

· Walking becomes easier

· Lung function increases up to 30 percent

1 to 9 MONTHS

· Coughing, sinus con­gestion, fatigue, shortness of breath decrease

·Cilia regrow in lungs. increasing abil-ity to handle mucus, clean the lungs, reduce infection

· Body’s overall energy increases

1 YEAR

· Excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker

5 YEARS

· Lung cancer death rate for average former smoker (one pack a day) decreases by almost half

· Stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker 5-15 years after quitting

· Risk of cancer of the mouth. throat and esophagus is half that of a smoker’s

10 YEARS

· Lung cancer death rate simi­lar to that of nonsmokers

· Precancerous cells are replaced

· Risk of cancer of the mouth, throat. esophagus, bladder, kidney and pancreas decreases

15 YEARS

· Risk of coronary heart disease is that of a non­smoker

Source: American Cancer Society;

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

For more information call 1-800-ACS-2345